IS Launches Attacks Near Northwest Iraqi City

January 05, 2016

Islamic State (IS) fighters have launched several offensives near the city of Haditha in northwest Iraq in the last 48 hours.

The U.S.-led coalition against the IS extremist group said on January 5 that the attacks had been “broken by a combination of coalition air power and Iraqi security forces."

U.S. Colonel Steve Warren said more than 100 IS militants were killed.

Security sources were quoted as saying at least 25 fighters were also killed on the Iraqi government side.

Iraqi officials said IS fighters were able to seize the village of Sakrana in the course of their offensive, which comes after the group lost control of Ramadi, the capital of Anbar Province, a week ago.

Haditha is located in Anbar some 200 kilometers northwest of Baghdad. The dam north of the city is the country's second largest.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP